The discussions come in the wake of a new Kansas law that allows people with conceal-carry permits to bring guns in to many public places. The law is set to take effect July 1.

"We just want to be able to feel safe in our homes and in our communities," said Grant Nelson of Johnson County Open Carry.

His group is about to sue Prairie Village because the city's ban on carrying guns out in the open.

"This is not the wild west, with duels in the street or anything like that," Nelson said. "We're normal law-abiding citizens."

To avoid a lawsuit, Lenexa may change its local law to permit openly carrying a gun in a holster with the safety on.

Lenexa leaders also want an exemption to the new conceal-carry law, getting six months to determine whether to install metal detection devices at all public buildings.

The Kansas League of Municipalities says walk-through scanners cost between $2,500 and $5,000 each. If each of the 626 cities in Kansas bought just one of the scanners, it would cost a combined $3 million.

Three dozen other cities have also asked for the six-month exemption. During that time, they would have to draw up a policy about guns in public buildings and submit it to the state. Cities could get up to four years to make those adjustments if they choose.